By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday July 21, 2023
Gael Monfils wasn’t able to play at Wimbledon this year, but from where the Frenchman was watching, at home with his newborn daughter, Skai, he felt like a winner.
Monfils, who is playing this weekend at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Los Angeles, says that he took great inspiration from watching his wife, Elina Svitolina, make a seed-slaying run to the semifinals.
“This is why I feel like a champion right now,” he told Tennis Majors of the Ukrainian’s run to the semis, which featured victories over four former Grand Slam champions.
“Just proud of my wife, to be honest. How much work she has put in to be at that level. How much discipline she had. I was amazed by her strength, mentally, in some matches, to turn them around and then come back for her next match – I was proud and inspired.”
Monfils, out of action since he injured his wrist during his epic five-set victory over Sebastien Baez at Roland-Garros, has been working to get to full fitness since.
There are pluses and minuses regarding that. The big plus was spending quality time with his daughter, Skai, who was born on October 15.
“She’s doing good, she’s growing up quite fast, actually,” the former World No.6 said. “You are at home, but it’s a privilege to spend quality time as well, at home with your child. It can never be too much. It’s going to be a few weeks without her and it’s gonna be tough, but I feel like we will have more time in a few weeks.”
Now back on tour, Monfils says his wrist is nearly perfect as he looks forward to a fun weekend of no-holds-barred tennis while taking part in Patrick Mouratoglou’s brainchild, which also includes Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Diego Schwartzman, Alexander Bublik and Benoit Paire.
After that the current World No.315 hopes to be reunited with his family on tour as he bids to begin a climb up the rankings again.
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